Salem to Sin City
On paper, ARCA’s next event (Sept. 28) is just another race. But New Jersey Motorsports Park’s Thunderbolt Raceway is a 2.3-mile, 14-turn road course that caters to Scott Speed’s skill set.
He has, after all, traversed some of the world’s finest circuits in Formula One. New Jersey, no problem.
“We’ll be fine. We’ll bring really good stuff there. No need to worry,” he said. “We just need to stay on course, finish these last three races and we’ll win the championship.”
Coming off an eighth-place finish at Salem — his series-leading 16th top 10 — Scott leads the ARCA RE/MAX Series standings by 90 points over Ricky Stenhouse Jr. with three races remaining.
But first, Scott must survive Sin City in tonight’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck race. He hasn’t driven Bill Davis Racing’s No. 22 Red Bull Toyota since August at Bristol, and he owns five top-10 finishes in nine truck starts.
A long day at Las Vegas Motor Speedway begins with two practice sessions (noon and 1:45 p.m. ET), followed by qualifying at 6:30 and the race at 9:30.
In Dover: Brian Vickers and AJ Allmendinger have today’s two practice sessions to shore up their Red Bull Toyotas before Sunday’s Camping World RV 400. Brian’s No. 83 starts 18th, with AJ’s No. 84 in 30th.
posted by Bull Rider at 9:48 AM
85 Comments:
I love me some Scott Speed!
PLEASE find a way to race SS, AJ & BV for RBRT in 2009!
Good luck in LV tonight, Scott!
I hate that I am a fan of both AJ and Scott, because I'd love to make Scott the villain in this whole scenario. Just can't do it though. So I'm wishing like mad for 3 full time RB cars next year.
I have a strange feeling this may be AJ's last race as a RB driver. Dont be surprised if he gets yanked and scott speed is inserted in the 84 for the remainder of the season.
Good luck today AJ and BV!
Good luck to both the 83 and 84 today. Here's hoping for GOOD LUCK in the race!!
(84 said: I have a strange feeling this may be AJ's last race as a RB driver.) ???? why would this be his last race if speed is testing the #82 and not the #84.
At Lowes
Sirius just reported that Scott Speed is taking over the 84 next year.
gangsta..... Why keep AJ in the 84 for the remainder of the season if Redbull plans on going with scott speed in 09'???? Why does it have to be the 84 car that speed is testing? I believe the whole point of the test is to see how Speed reacts in the Cup car, and see what he can do in it. Redbull can easily boot AJ for this season and hand it over to Speed to get some seat time to prepare for next season. And according to Sirius, AJ wont be back in 09'
If this is true, Red Bull can shove it. I'm sorry, but you have to respect your drivers. Not leave them hanging for months with an uncertainty.
AJ just thanked his crew for everything on the scanner and said that its been fun. Love ya, AJ!
after hearing that radio transmission, thanks guys for everything, it's been a pleasure, i would have to say this is his last race. Wouldn't be suprised to see someone else in the car this week. If thats true, RBR has lost an incredible talent...
And a fan, too.
Lap 115 and already a lap down for the 83, something is wrong.
Great! Looking like another killer awesome run this weekend! Keep it up, guys!
[/sarcasm]
Pathetic.
Another gem from the engine shop today!
Oh. It didn't blow up. Surprise.
Give it 20 laps. There's a 50% chance it will.
I think we need to keep AJ and find new engine crews.
What's wrong with Vickers?
I heard the radio transmission also. This is very upsetting. I dont even know what to say...
It's funny that AJ had to worry about his job. He has outran Vickers a bunch of times this year.
Why would they take AJ out if he got back in the top 35? answer that you AJ haters!
And its not Vickers fault that he gets bad cars and always has bad luck and gets caught up in wrecks. also nascar has made stupid mistakes. so dont blame him for having bad runs!!! AJ 16th BV 31st AJ STILL HAD A GOOD FINISH SO STOP WHINING!
Anyone have the updated top 35 standings? The 84 should be close to top 30
Not if they treat their program like they do in F1. I'm sorry, but you don't leave your own driver hanging for months and months without an answer.
They waited too long to make the CC change, and even though AJ and Jimmy have shown great progress, now it's too late.
That's why I don't like posting anymore. Too much senseless hostility. And also poor performance.
AJ had a good finish so quit whining??? He is being replaced in the car! What part of "thanks for working so hard for me and its been a pleasure working with all of you" dont you understand. Car is in 34th and will be handed to Scott Speed. He has ran equal to or better than BV lately and he is getting axed. Thats what we are upset about!
So it's confirmed that Scott will be in the car next week? After AJ put the car back in the top 35?
Its all doom and gloom in here because Vickers had an off-race!! What about AJA?!?!? This man is fighting for his career and turns out a top 20 finish and on the lead lap at one of THE toughest most brutal tracks in the series!!!
TRB screwed up on this one by letting him go! It will surely come back to bite them in the azz. AJA is a fighter and if he had the top equipment and knowledge like some of these to pteams do then he'd be smoking the field!!
Dont give up AJ! Go somewhere else where you are appreciated for your talent and hard work!!!!
Scott speed is a fluke and running up front with the top equipment. Wait till next season, he's gonna flop. He doesnt have near the talent as AJ!!
Im tired of people saying their "anonymous" too. you can type a name where it says Name/URL. you can just type in a name. your welcome
I also agree with erik.
AJ being replaced isn't fair, and it isn't right. But when I was lamenting that to a friend, she told me that there are a lot of things in NASCAR that aren't fair, and aren't right. Which is very true.
I'm sure AJ will say that "it sucks" and he will be right. But it's TRB's decision, no matter how bad we think it might be.
I for one am going to let AJ know that I'll support him wherever he goes. Go to his website, shoot him an email, let him know you're with him.
It may be awhile before he gets it, but trust me that he will - and it could possibly make him feel better.
All of this sucks, but at the same time, I'm rooting for Reed to keep the car in the top 35. You know, just in case.
LOL - yeah, I've been rooting on the 41 for the last month or so, too. It's just been a gut feeling for awhile. Maybe because AJ ran some Busch there last year. There was already a line of communication there.
Although now there's lots of talk about Menard leaving DEI lately. There is some potential there.
I keep having this feeling that TRB is waiting for the test session at Lowe's to make anything official, but who knows. Maybe AJ won't even be testing.
Im thinking that AJ might go back in the Nationwide series. If he is this good in Sprint cup series, why not Team red bull put him in a Nationwide car? It would be the best thing for team red bull too do after getting him off the Sprint cup teaam.
Only REDBULL Racing would give a guy a full time ride based on 1 test session.
Uh, I guess we hope and pray SS has a bad test session?
Would Petty Enterprises be that bad if AJ is pulled from the car this week? Kyle seems to like AJ and I can see him stepping aside and letting AJ race the 45. He would have a great mentor in Bobby Labonte and who knows maybe he will be with Red Bull because everything everyone has posted has been rumors and until we hear from AJ or Red Bull it will continue to be rumors. (Yes I know I am adding to the rumor mill, but I am just throwing suggestions out there that I heard on ESPN.com)
Going to Petty would be a career killer. Ganassi is the best option.
unless dodge fixes thier issues, i'd say a possible ride in the #15 is his best option.
32)#22Dave Blaney 2220 +98
33)#66Scott Riggs 2195 +73
34)#84Allmendinger 2133 +11
35)#7 R. Gordon 2130 +8
-----------------------------
36)#00McDowell 2122 -8
37)#77Hornish 2052 -78
38)#10Carpentier 1877 -253
Did the math myself: OWNER STANDINGS
Im still saying that Team Red Bull should put him in a Nationwide car.
Who? AJ or SS?
If you're saying AJ then thats a demotion and a slap in the face after what he has done so far.
SS should be the one in the fulltime nationwide ride, and a part time fill in driver in cup for 09'. Then redbull goes to 3 teams in 10'
Just saw on AJ's site that he came home in 16th in a car that had a broken track bar mount. No wonder they lost the handling so bad on it those last couple runs. It's just good for him that there were so few cars on the lead lap at that point.
As far as Petty, I would rather see him in Petty than Ganassi - just because I think he would be respected and treated well there. And with new resources, they have the opportunity to build something good.
I think Ganassi is a sinking ship, and Dodge seems to be going down the drain in general. So at this point, DEI might be the best option.
And I don't have any problem with AJ going to full time N'wide instead of taking a less than stellar ride in Cup. It worked pretty good for Stremme.
I dont have a problem with AJ in a filltime Nationwide ride either.
But I would have a problem if redbull sent him to Nationwide and funded it, and then stuck SS in the 84.
If AJ went on his own and got a NW ride then good for him. He would basically be sitting out a season, maybe fill-in some cup rides in 09' and wait for something better in '10 instead of pass by good rides like he did this season waiting for redbull to make up their minds.
Rumor is that Ganassi may merge with MWR. If that's the case, all would be well.
heard Skinner will be in the 84 next 3 or so races???
No reason for him to be.
Just announced on the SPEED Report that AJ is out in 2009, will be replaced by Scott Speed.
KCMO
wow biggest waste of time ever!!! i watched every friday for almost 2 years hoping for improvment and for both red bull cars to lock in the top 35 and when they finally do, Aj gets shafted becuase scott speed is having good luck in the truck series....? please! ss hasnt even run a nationwide race... and on any track under 1.5 miles aj outpreformes bv consistently. this is just dissapointing...i am sportin the dinger hair and everything, just as he gets fired... man i miss the days of AJ in CART when he won those 5 races any one remember the good ole days?
The saga needs to end, and if what I am reading is true, then finally it has. I am truly excited to see Scott Speed fall on his face. RBRT can afford 3 teams, and to give SS AJ's car is absolutely classless, after all of the struggle.
What worries me now for AJA is the fact that the best cars avaialble are the 41 (dodge), 45 (please god no-dodge), and TEI's 15 (maybe? but sponsorless??? ouch) At this point, we could hope maybe Ganassi will go to Toyota, but I don't see it...
It's going to be incredibly difficult to watch that 84 run by without AJ at the helm- this whole thing has been very poorly handled.
Maybe Reed will go run the #10 a few times and if AJ runs to the #41 he can get acclimated too. I don't like any of the ownership that any of the potential suiters for AJ.
TEI- is slowly becoming an also-ran team, though Menard is talent-less so I dunno if the #15 is that bad or not.. #8 is pretty darn good, would be a chase car is Martin raced every week, Regan Smith is dreck though...
Ganassi- seems like he has no control over this team, but I have seen the #41 bea pretty good car, and has full sponsorship
Petty's- seem like the fairest of them all, good family run team, just run Dodge's and havent mattered in winning races in 25 years, that's a long ass time.
None of them have the future that RBRT has... thats what SUCKS THE MOST- the fact they wont make this a 3 car team is bullshit-
exactly! they build their team, improve their drivers, and finally become competative just to start over. AJ is the best representative for redbull and everyone knows it. he acts and looks like a true redbull athelete! lets just hope AJ still has a chance at hangin around redbull...
83 IS CARRYING THE MOMENTUM INTO KANSAS NEXT WEEKEND! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HIM LIVE IN PERSON!!
Haha, Curt if you wanna come up to Kansas Speedway, I can house ya if ya want. We can go get Vickers and AJ's (Scott Speed's? LOL) autographs.
More negative posts on the blog please, THAT'S HOW CHANGES GET MADE DAMMIT!
Nomar:
I don't know if know but both AJ and BV are doing the Victory Club thing next Sunday morning for Victory Junction Gang Camp KC acoording the Kansasspeedway.com
I think that yall dont need to get your pansies in wads yet until we here for TRB their selves about AJ......... What ever the decision is i will stick with AJ ;)....
This is why i dont come around the blog to often anymore because someone is always bitching and whining about something
~C
until we hear From TRB... Sheesh this blog has be so riled up i cant type straight now
~C
If what SPEED reported is true, then I hope ALL of Red Bull (NASCAR and F1) falls flat on their face.
"AJ, Thanks for putting the car back in the top 35 and putting your heart out there and finishing 16th with a broken car.....now your reward....you're fired. Pack your bags and get out".
Thanks TRB.
Hey don't be mad at the race team, be mad at the boss in Austria. I will miss AJ, no doubt. And I agree that AJ does have more of a Red Bull type of personality. But yeah, I think this will hurt the #84 for sure because I don't think anyone on that team wants AJ to leave.
I'll still be rooting for AJ where ever he goes. His career is not over, it's just starting. He learned a lot while racing for RBRT. AJ might just be what the #41 team needs. Hopefully we hear something soon about it for we can all stop arguing.
I can't believe Scott Speed's already coming to Cup. It doesn't seem right. He just started testing the Cup car.
I wish i could say goodbye to redbull liek all of yall, but i am a redbull fan first man... sure they screwed aj over, but its still the team i am cheering for with or with out the Dinger... Dont get too negative because for all we know right now aj could be in an 82 next year bc of his amazing qualifying skills...
Why Red Bull? Why? AJ has busted his ass all season! He deserves to be in the #84. It's not fair! Don't get me wrong, Scott Speed is a great driver, but bring him up slowly and get him ready for a 3rd car at RBRT. Wherever AJ goes I will follow. I've been a fan of his since the Champ car days, however, I will continue to support Brian Vickers. I feel bad for Jimmy Elledge. Him and AJ were meshing well. AJ and Lynne, if you're reading this...please know your fans are behind you 100%. Thank you both for letting us be apart of your Red Bull Racing journey into NASCAR.
Just can't believe it.....
ya ditto AJ... we are ur fans for life man, just hope red bull can work it out. ur greatest man...i am even wearing my hair like urs!
*the greatest*
I'm sittin here cryin my eyes out! I'm so upset! This is awful news. Please tell me I'm dreaming!
AJ, wherever you go I'll follow. I'll always, always be a fan! Good luck!!
So what exactly is happening here? Is AJ in the 84 for the rest of the year or is he out immediately?
I have no idea. Hopefully someone affiliated with RBR will give us some details or even a statement.
Wherever you go AJ we will be behind you - just like we did when you left Champ Car. We are AJ fans first and foremost. We loved the RB mentality and thought that was a perfect fit, sorry that wasnt true for Austria, its their loss. Im sure this is just as upsetting for the whole 84 team as well. You will do great no matter who you drive for - and we will be cheering for that team next!! We love you!!!!
I've been a Red Bull fan since their first appearance at speedweeks, and if this turns out to be true, it's testing my faith. I've followed every Friday morning practice session and qualifying to make sure the 84 was in for this entire time, and they're just going to pull him? When the 84 is kicking the 83's ass week in and week out?
This is classless. If they wanted to part ways, they could have announced it months ago. It would have been tough, but that at least has a little class to it. I'm a huge BV fan, and this makes me want to walk away from the whole organization and just quit.
I don't blame Scott Speed. I like Scott Speed a lot. I was looking forward to him being in a 3rd RB car. But now... I don't care what happens. BV can start winning races for all I care. If they dump AJ, I may start cheering against TRB.
I am still gonna drink a red bull when they throw the green flag everyrace...i just might have to buy those red bulls at target next year...
From Yahoo.com
Dover Observations
Still more: Could AJ Allmendinger be just days away from completing a deal to drive the No. 41 Target-sponsored car for Chip Ganassi? And did Allmendinger drive his final race in the 84 Toyota?
Ok.
Dear AJ,
I'm sorry Red Bull strung you along for as long as they did, that was a very bad thing they did. That was bad, and pretty sucky. Let's not mince anything though. People here at this blog are acting as if AJ just found on the news the same time the rest of us did. It's quite possible Red Bull notified you with enough time to help you find yourself a ride for next season (thus meaning everyone here is greatly overreacting).
The 41 car is a pretty sweet ride. It could be worse for you AJ. If you don't believe me, perhaps you'd like to jump into the 00, 45, or 96 car and start next year in the hole again. Yeah, you put the 84 car in the top 35, and showed massive improvement - that's not why you got the axe - but it is why you're getting a top tier job at Ganassi.
People on this blog like to act mad about stuff they knew was coming. 80% of these blog posts are about Scott Speed, and do you know why that is? Because Red Bull feels Scott Speed is not just the future of Red Bull, but the future of NASCAR as well. Everyone knew this was coming - eventually - and now that it's here, apparently that makes them upset. I don't blame them, but being mad isn't going to do them much good. (Neither is swearing off Team Red Bull on their blog, but that's another story)
I guess me making a post telling people to take all the negativity somewhere else is just as pointless as all the negative posts on this board. Red Bull is moving on, and from the sounds of it, so is AJ. If you want Red Bull to fall flat on their face now, go ahead and do that. If you want to cheer for 83 and 41, that's obviously fine as well, but please, please, please, don't come here and act like you have 100% of the information. What if Red Bull told AJ in early August of their plans but chose to keep it under wraps until AJ was able to get his feet under himself and get himself a new ride? Bah, it's all pointless. Someone just go ahead and tell me to shut up.
Nomar you are a smart man...
this blog needs to end. it will all work out sum how
You know, you remind me a lot of an old friend. He believed, regardless of what information has been spread out, that he knew more than the average person. You say we act like we have 100% of the information? By your post, you're acting the same way.
Do I have a right to be upset about this crap? Yeah, especially after seeing what he went through with them.
And as far as AJ knowing anything about his future, check out his Yahoo blog. It's pretty sad when he says the following:
"As far as my contract situation for next year, there’s no new news. Hopefully I’ll know something next week. But not knowing anything is hard. It’s stressful.
You know, I just want an answer. Am I going to be back with Red Bull next year, yes or no? Of course I’d like it to be yes and they’d like me to stay and we have a great rest of the season and prepare for 2009.
I love everybody at the shop and it’s hard because they’re asking me questions. They want to know what’s up, and I don’t have an answer for them. I mean, I really don’t have an answer.
I’ve had conversations with other teams since August – and there were some good rides available – but I truly believe we have something here with Red Bull, so I don’t want to leave."
So, what were you saying?
And I just realized there have been 84 comments on this post. LOL, that's insane.
So it's feasibly impossible they told AJ, "Hey, listen, we're going to put Speed in a cup car but we have some talks with getting a 3rd team started. You're more than welcome to talk to other teams and start networking with them and if we can get a 3rd car worked out, we will, but we can't promise you anything."
Listen, I'm not trying to be holier than thou or anything, and I'm certainly no better than anyone here. You AJ fans have literally every right to get mad and spit venom and do whatever you gotta do...but it does you no good now. I never acted like I had 100% of the information, what I did is show some people here that their aggression is certainly misplaced on this blog. Send an email or call the Red Bull team headquarters. Use this blog to wish AJ luck and tell him how much he's appreciated...don't waste your time and effort telling Red Bull how much they suck for dicking AJ along.
It honestly does me no good to post on this blog anymore, because it doesn't matter what anyone says. Some schmoe can come here and say "*$%# Red Bull, I hope they suck forever for doing that to AJ" and the next person can come here and say "Thanks for everything AJ, sorry you got treated like that, but I wish you the best of luck in the future."
There's always going to be people acting like me, people acting like you, Nick, and people acting like Curt, Suzie, and everyone else who posts on this blog. Maybe that's why at the end of last season you had to have your comment "approved" before it ever made to post on this blog.
Ya know what would fix everything? A Favre win tomorrow night.
My Cowboys are running all over GB, and that pleases me. Not because Favre left GB, but because I've always been a Cowboys fan!
Tony Romo should drive the 84.
I know I got a little heated earlier, so I apologize if I ruffled some feathers.
All in all, I can dislike RB as much as I want, but now it's time to prep for 2009. If this is true, then I really really REALLY hope AJ goes to the 41. He'll have a good sponsor, possibly a top 35 car, and will be able to score additional seat time in the Nationwide series.
It would be super sweet if Ganassi went to Toyota.
I guess everyone will find out what the future holds when they test this week at Lowes. If AJ is in the car, I would believe he is safe for now, if he isn't than we know for sure his future with Red Bull.
Nomar, I don't live anywhere near Kansas, man. I'm all the way in the Caribbean, lol. I would love to see a Chase race at the track some day though.
I still have some hope for AJ being at RBRT next year. Sometimes the rumors do get crazy. I've been thinking.. Scott Speed obviously has to drive a Red Bull sponsored car, although we all don't see how he deserves it more than AJ. But let's just say that's the reason Scott will be in the #84 next year. I'm thinking there might be a chance of the #82 running next year with AJ in it if they get sponsorship, with the #84 owners points from this year. Scott is talented, yea, but he needs to earn his way or I will NEVER respect him.
It's a lot to hope for, but it seems like the only smart move left to make to keep AJ. I think that it's odd that NASCAR will allow RBRT to test 3 cars this week eventhough it looks like RBRT will be a 2-car team next year.
If things don't work out, I'll still be his fan. Doesn't matter what he's driving or where he's driving, I'll be rooting for him.
if there is a 3rd car in 09', and AJ were in it, he'd be 3rd string. 3rd priority, 3rd best equipment.
He might as well go to the 41 team where he pretty much would be 1-2 with JPM.
Tell us something we don't know.
Lots of repeating comments... so I'll cut through the clutter and give my 2 cents on what you people are talking about.
First, Red Bull can't/isn't going to put out another $20million a year for a 3rd car, or $10million for a N'wide car. Why do you think AJ never ran any Busch races last year when he rode the pine so often?
Second, you might be thinking "Get a different sponsor!" Good luck with that one. It's probably easier to get F1 sponsorship than anything in America at this point, unless you are a Tony Stewart or such.
Lastly, AJ is a good Red Bull rep, but SS is so much more what Red Bull would prefer. I mean, you ever seen pics of the Red Bull F1 parties and other events? SS looks more like a model than a driver, and that's partly why the love him. And Scott Speed is a hell of a name branding wise. Although The 'Dinger is pretty solid. Whoever ends up racing next year, I wish them all the luck.
Go RBRT!
I 2nd the prayer of Ganassi sneaking off to Toyota-
That would make this exodus so much better. I woudn't be so quick to sign with Ganassi, before you see what happens to TEI's #15, which is Chevy and will be better supported manufacturer-wise. As I said previos, AJ needs to start gathering personal sponsors (like Robby Gordon has with Beam, and Menards and Motorola etc) Either way, knowing AJ will be in the #41 in the Daytona 500 is a good start. Maybe he can climb in it early...
From jayski.com
Allmendinger out of #84....soon? to the #41? UPDATE: Could AJ Allmendinger be just days away from completing a deal to drive the #41 Target-sponsored car for Chip Ganassi? And did Allmendinger drive his final race in the #84 Toyota? (Yahoo Sports), hearing Allmendinger could well be out of the #84 ride after Dover with Mike Skinner running the car at Kansas and Scott Speed running some races in the car the rest of the season.(9-22-2008)
UPDATE: A.J. Allmendinger got the word Wednesday that he will not be back at Red Bull Racing's NASCAR [#84] team next year. He'll be replaced, no doubt, by Scott Speed.(Toronto Star)(9-22-2008)
No hard feelings huh, 84? It's gonna be alright dude, there's other rides out there, and plenty of other rides to steal. You're gonna do great, wherever you go, dude.
Always remember... There's danger in everything we do, what's the harm in confirming it? It's dangerous being without a ride, but you gotta get out there, stick your neck out and make everyone realize that AJ is for REAL!
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